Convert to Sheet Metal

[Anonymous]

I'm wondering if there is an easy way to convert this standard Inventor 2015 part to a sheet metal part so I can create a flat pattern. I've had some light sheet metal training years ago, mostly unused and forgotten. The part was created from a thickened surface quilt in a multibody solid. I'm recreating a complex assembly from 2D drawings from the 70's and many of the dimensions are implicit and derived from other parts in the assembly. So it was just easier for me to model by this method.

This isn't necessarily an urgent problem, as the original drawing didn't provide a flat pattern, so I wouldn't be doing any worse if I simply detailed the part as a standard solid model, but it'd be nice to know for my own record. I tried adjusting the thickness in the sheet metal standards and filleting the corners in such a way as to maintain uniform thickness, without any luck. I hadn't played with the K-factor at all.

[WHolzwarth]

After adding some bends it could be flattened.

Questioin marks in 2015 file will disappear with linked reference part

Walter

[Anonymous]

Hmm....when I go to edit your bend features, it previews a 90 degree bend, and if I hit accept without changing anything an error comes up. Think you could give a brief explanation of your process?

[CCarreiras · Accepted solution]

Hi!

The error is due the bend signed in the image below. I had to make a little change.

Check my process, it works also.

[Anonymous]

Seems like I get errors anytime I touch anything. In this case, I rolled back to before the delete face so I could see what was deleted, and the flat pattern didn't like that and everything seemed to blow up. Could my default sheet metal styles be changing the model when I open it up on my end?

[CCarreiras · Accepted solution]

Hi!

Ofcourse flat pattern doesn't like when you deleted the solid!!!! 🙂 ... but no problem....

When you want to roll back to learn how to do it, it's better to delete the actual flat pattern.

In the final of your leaning path, just create a new flat pattern.